I reached out to Sarah Tanno, the global artistry director of Haus Labs, for the scoop on everything you need know about eyeliner pencils. As expected, she not only spilled her personal product preferences but also gave us some helpful guidance on how to go about selecting the right products. “I like eyeliners that have a liquid-like texture that don’t dry too fast, but when it does dry, won’t smudge or move out of place when set,” says Tanno. “The formula is very important when it comes to finding a long-wearing, non-irritating eyeliner.” Her go-to pick is Haus Labs’ Optic Intensity Eco Eyeliner ($22).
Its formula is clean, vegan, and cruelty-free in addition to being waterproof and safe to use on sensitive eyes. “I love that there’s a brush on one end so you can really create the perfect line with precision,” she says of the product. It’s available in matte and shimmer finishes across 13 shades, and Tanno shared her favorites: Black Onyx Matte because it produces bold pigment while being gentle on the waterline, White Onyx Matte to brighten the eyes when applied to the waterline, and Deep Coco Matte because, “not only is it a gorgeous rich brown for the eyes, [but] it also makes a great lip liner!” Discovering a multipurpose product makes it that much better.